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Lawyer Profile

Image of S. Cary Gaylord

S. Cary Gaylord

Gaylord Merlin Ludovici & Diaz
  • Recognized Since:
    2007
  • Recognized in:
    Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
  • Website:
    http://www.gaylordmerlin.com
  • Firm's Phone Number:
    (813) 221.9000
  • Languages:
    English
  • Location:
    5001 West Cypress Street
    Tampa, FL 33607

Background
Cary Gaylord has represented clients in over 30 counties in Florida as well as in the federal courts and courts of Illinois and Georgia. He has handled cases involving large vacant parcels, churches, national big box retailers, shopping centers, gas station/convenience stores, fast food restaurants, supermarket chains, professional offices, farmers, retailers, grove operators, golf course owners, homeowners, as well as other properties both in eminent domain and inverse condemnation proceedings.

Accomplishments
He has authored and co-authored numerous articles including chapters in Nichols on Eminent Domain covering maps of reservation as well as power lines and electromagnetic fields. Mr. Gaylord also co-authored "The Public Purpose Doctrine" chapter of the Florida Eminent Domain Practice and Procedure Manual - the authoritative publication on eminent domain issues for the Florida Bar.

He has also lectured on these and other condemnation topics for the American Bar Association, Southwestern Legal Foundation, ALI-ABA, the Florida Bar and the Hillsborough County Bar Associations as well as numerous other groups.

Mr. Gaylord was selected to Florida Trend Magazine's "Legal Elite" in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. He was also recognized in 2006, 2007 and 2008 in the "Best Lawyers in America" publication and as a "Super Lawyer" by Florida Super Lawyers Magazine. In 2006 he was invited to participate as a senior panelist in The National Conference on Ethics in America at United States Military Academy.

Martindale Hubbell has awarded Mr. Gaylord an AV rating the highest rating given to attorneys. He is also recognized in the Martindale Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers in the field of eminent domain.

Memberships
Mr. Gaylord is a member of the Hillsborough County, Florida and American Bar Associations and is active in the Eminent Domain Committees of the Florida Bar and the Hillsborough County Bar Associations. He served as Chairman of the Florida Bar Eminent Domain Committee from 1982 to 1984. He is a member of the Florida Justice Association and the American Association for Justice. He was invited to join the American Board of Trial Advocates whose membership is limited to attorneys who have extensive jury trial experience and who exhibit "high personal character and honorable reputation." In addition Mr. Gaylord is a Master of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Inns of Court (2005 to present.)

Mr. Gaylord served as a member of the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit from 1999 to 2007 and was reappointed to the Commission by the Governor in 2008. During his tenure with the JNC, he was elected twice to serve as its chairman. Previous to this he served a four year term as a member of the Grievance Committee for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit.

Continue Reading
  • Lawyer Bio
  • Client Comments
  • Lawyer Practice Areas
  • Firm Details
  • Case History

Lawyer Bio

Background
Cary Gaylord has represented clients in over 30 counties in Florida as well as in the federal courts and courts of Illinois and Georgia. He has handled cases involving large vacant parcels, churches, national big box retailers, shopping centers, gas station/convenience stores, fast food restaurants, supermarket chains, professional offices, farmers, retailers, grove operators, golf course owners, homeowners, as well as other properties both in eminent domain and inverse condemnation proceedings.

Accomplishments
He has authored and co-authored numerous articles including chapters in Nichols on Eminent Domain covering maps of reservation as well as power lines and electromagnetic fields. Mr. Gaylord also co-authored "The Public Purpose Doctrine" chapter of the Florida Eminent Domain Practice and Procedure Manual - the authoritative publication on eminent domain issues for the Florida Bar.

He has also lectured on these and other condemnation topics for the American Bar Association, Southwestern Legal Foundation, ALI-ABA, the Florida Bar and the Hillsborough County Bar Associations as well as numerous other groups.

Mr. Gaylord was selected to Florida Trend Magazine's "Legal Elite" in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. He was also recognized in 2006, 2007 and 2008 in the "Best Lawyers in America" publication and as a "Super Lawyer" by Florida Super Lawyers Magazine. In 2006 he was invited to participate as a senior panelist in The National Conference on Ethics in America at United States Military Academy.

Martindale Hubbell has awarded Mr. Gaylord an AV rating the highest rating given to attorneys. He is also recognized in the Martindale Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers in the field of eminent domain.

Memberships
Mr. Gaylord is a member of the Hillsborough County, Florida and American Bar Associations and is active in the Eminent Domain Committees of the Florida Bar and the Hillsborough County Bar Associations. He served as Chairman of the Florida Bar Eminent Domain Committee from 1982 to 1984. He is a member of the Florida Justice Association and the American Association for Justice. He was invited to join the American Board of Trial Advocates whose membership is limited to attorneys who have extensive jury trial experience and who exhibit "high personal character and honorable reputation." In addition Mr. Gaylord is a Master of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Inns of Court (2005 to present.)

Mr. Gaylord served as a member of the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit from 1999 to 2007 and was reappointed to the Commission by the Governor in 2008. During his tenure with the JNC, he was elected twice to serve as its chairman. Previous to this he served a four year term as a member of the Grievance Committee for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit.

Read more on firm website
  • Bar Admissions
  • Affiliations
  • Award List
  • Lawyer of the Year Badge
  • Lawyer of the Year Badge
  • Lawyer of the Year Badge

Bar Admissions:

  • Florida, The Florida Bar

Affiliations:

  • American Board of Trial Advocates - Member
  • Family First - Chairman of the Board
  • Florida Bar Eminent Domain Committee - Member - past chairman
  • Idlewild Baptist Church - Vice Chairman of Deacons
  • Idlewild Foundation - Board Member
  • Judicial Nominating Commission 13th Circuit - Gubernatorial Appointment
  • Lifework Leadership - Member
  • West Point Association of Graduates - Member

Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers for:

  • Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Tampa (2021)
  • Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Tampa (2018)
  • Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Tampa (2011)
 

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for work in:

  • Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
 

Awards:

  • US Army Ranger Tab
  • US Army Parachute Badge
  • US Army Expert Infantryman's Badge
  • German Army Parachute Badge
  • Best Lawyers in America
  • Florida Trend Legal Elite
  • Super Lawyers
 

Lawyer Client Comments

Lawyer Practice Areas

Key: Awarded in Best Lawyers Not Currently Awarded for this Area in Best Lawyers

Firm Details

Image for Gaylord Merlin Ludovici & Diaz View Firm Profile
Gaylord Merlin Ludovici & Diaz
http://www.gaylordmerlin.com
 
Headquarters
5001 West Cypress Street
Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 221.9000

Lawyer Case History

Joint Ventures Inc. v. Department of Transportation

563 So 2d 622 (Fla. 1990)
One of the leading inverse condemnation decisions in Florida

Texaco Inc. v. Florida Department of Transportation

537 So. 2d 92 (Fla. 1989)
business loss recovery decision in conflict with Department of
Transportation v. Morris 194 Ga. App 813, 392 S.E. 2d 291 (1990)

Georgia Department of Transportation v. Morris

194 Ga. App 813, 392 S.E. 2d 291 (1990)
directly conficts with Texaco decision in Florida

HART v. Ligori

$9,530,325 jury verdict in Hillsborough County

Illinois State Toll Highway Authority v. Amoco

Jury verdict in Chicago $2,025,000

USA v. 16.19 acres

$3,039,567Jury verdict in federal court middle district of Florida for expansion
of the VA hospital

FDOT v. South Branch Ranch

$6,500,000 settlement for construction of the Suncoast Expressway

TCHEA v. Chang

$9,300,000 settlement for construction of the Veteran's Expressway
 
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